Our Ministries
Sunday School
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” St. Mathew 19:14
The Sunday school takes care of the spiritual nurturing of the children, by bringing them up in the knowledge and fellowship of Jesus Christ and His Church.
The classes range from Pre-primary classes to the 12th class. As in secular schools, class ten concludes the secondary level and a certificate is awarded –Sunday School final Certificate (SSFC) to the successful candidates. The Higher Secondary course is for another two years.
We follow a curriculum, prepared and published by the OSSAE Far East Asia Region which is revised from time to time. Under the leadership of our Church scholars, this organisation is focused on taking care of the spiritual nourishment of our children.
The School extends its activities in bridging cultural diversity and delivers promising citizens to the world.
Sunday School Headmistress - Mrs. Sheela Varghese
Church Choir
We abide by the liturgical heritage and norms set by Malankara Orthodox Church and maintain discipline within the organisation.
We participate in every method of worship for various sacraments, ceremonies and have been blessed to be a part of Baptisms and Holy Matrimony to add to our achievements.
We keenly strive to preserve the harmonic heritage and tradition of the church. We conduct practices on regular basis.
The choir comprise of talented and dedicated singers who leads the congregation in prayers and praise.
Children are encouraged to participate with choir in our Holy Qurbana. Rehearsals are incorporated into our regular Church Sunday School curriculum.
Choir Leader: Mrs Susan Thomas
Balasamajam
This Group comprises of the student portion of the Church. Every child between the age of 5 and 15 years are supposed to be its members. It aims at the integrated personal development of the Children in the Church.
The main objectives are worship, study and virtuous life among all the boys and girls inside the Church.
Through this programme, an all-round development of personality of the children is accomplished as they are encouraged to study the Holy Bible, the tradition and history of the Church along with their academic studies.
The life history of Saints of the church presented before them develops in them a spiritual and moral life aiming the service for the society.
The Samajam through its activities encourages the children to participate regularly in the Sunday Schools and Church services.
At the parish level once in a month, the balasamajam meet and recite songs, bible reading, speeches, song practice, reading relating to ideal biographic and science, various lecture sessions (religious and materialistic), debates on the promotion of health and humanitarian activities.
Yearly one Charity: food for need (Chocolate sale)
Marthamariam Samajam (MMS)
Association of women in the Malankara Orthodox Church with the Blessed Virgin Saint Mary as the patron Saint. ‘Martha’ is the feminine form of ‘Mar’ which means Saint in Syriac language.
It is a vibrant association of the women and depends on the intercession of the Holy and Ever Virgin Saint Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Samajam mainly aims at the spiritual growth of women. This is the Women’s wing of the Church. It is one of the major spiritual organizations of the church combining all the female members The founders named it “Marth Mariam Samajam” (MMS) after the Blessed Virgin Mary whom they accepted as their interceding saint.
The motto is Prayer, Act & Shine (Prarthikkuka, Pravarthikkuka, Prakasikkuka)
Activities: The group conducts weekly meetings at the church after the Sunday service.
Some of the basic objectives of this includes the following:
1. Training women to conduct prayer meetings, to lead prayer, Bible classes, fellowship meetings and to preach the gospel.
2. Preparing women to have theological training.
3. Training women to have social awareness, participation in political activities., and Decision-making at every level.
4. Attempts to find out women’s potential to a greater extent.
Yearly one Charity: Breast cancer foundation
Office bearers: Mrs. Sheena Yohannan and Mrs. Simi Thomas
MGOCSM & OCYM
The Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM)
The Youth-wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church provides an active leadership and Christian witness in the Church and society. It contributes to the goodness and progress of the Church and community in the three-fold path of worship, study and service. It aims at molding the minds and visions of the youth against the background of the contemporary issues.
Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM)
Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) is the student wing of the Church.
The combined group of OCYM & MGOCSM conducts weekly meeting at the church after the Sunday service.
Objectives of this Group:
- To deepen the spiritual life of the Youth
- To prepare them to be responsible citizens in the Church and Society
- To encourage them to commit themselves for sacrificial services in the church and society.
OCYM & MGOCSM of STPPMIOC embodies these objectives and maintains a interdisciplinary contact with academicians to help student fraternity of the parish and especially students from India who migrates to Queensland, Australia on study purposes with pastoral care.
We also bring together christian students from various parts of Australia to deepening their spiritual life and create in them a lively sense of fellowship.
“A Church without Youth is a Church without a future. Moreover, Youth without a Church is Youth without a future.” – Pope Shenouda III, Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria.
Activities: Monthly cottage meetings, bible study, conferences, annual picnics, annual social service activities, and work force of in all church activities.
Yearly one Charity: Teens foundation
Secretary: Miss. Angel Thomas
Treasurer: Miss. Nikitha Laiju
Prayer Meetings
“Prayer is the inspiration of childhood, the refuge of youth and peace during old age”
The Prayer Group Association has been constituted to monitor and streamline the prayer and reading habits of the faithful in the parish.
The objective of this group is to ascertain the inculcation of firm faith, love of the church and brotherhood and bring about the spiritual, material and educational upliftment of the people.
Weekly prayer meetings are conducted at the residences of the Parish members on Sunday evenings.
It follows a yearly schedule based on the request of the parishioners.
Special meetings are also conducted at residences at times of passing away of family members.
“Prayer brings truth, religious faith, honesty and respect among people” – famous quote of St.Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Thirumeni)
Prayer Meetings Secretary - Chacko Thomas
Project Drah'ma
A Project Drah'ma initiative has been created for the youth in the Oceania region.
This initiative allows next generation kids to work collaboratively with each other across the Oceania regions to enhance their journey with Christ and the church.
They are planning a lot of events surrounding biblical empowering, church historicity, discussions on pressing topics, typical day to day affairs and so on.
This is a volunteered and collective effort from a group of youngsters from churches all across Australia and New Zealand regions.
Acolytes Group
This is a group for the Altar Assistants who serve the Altar. Monthly meetings are conducted at the church on the 4th Saturday of every month.
The main objectives of this group :
1. To give instructions to the altar boys to make uniformity in the worship of the church and to serve systematically.
2. To mould people who have God’s grace, dedication, who follow spiritual & sacramental life, and who have worldly experience to reside as servants in the sacramental service of the holy church.
3. To train attendants to practice the holy church’s tradition and ritual service without any alteration and to perform it timely with all its meaning and value and to ordain and make them members of the church’s serving community.